Kennebunk, ME

Bill Talmage, 89, of Kennebunk ME died peacefully on Friday morning, June 22, 2018, after what he said was a long and full life.

The story goes, he met his wife Barbara in the chemistry lab at Tufts University when he played the practical joke of hooking up her Bunsen burner to the water tap and laughing when she got soaked. She dated him anyway, she said, because at 6’6” he was taller than her 5’9”. They were married in 1949, had two children, and family life was alive with jokes, magic tricks, and Gilbert & Sullivan. Bill got a kick out of singing “It’s hard to be humble / But I’m doin’ the best that I can!” and he was a sore winner at bridge. He worked as a chemical engineer at Dorr Co. and Badger Co. until he retired to Kennebunk Beach to enjoy living the dream.

Bill was predeceased by his wife Barbara. He is survived by his son William Jr. and his wife Annette of Lakeville, MA and daughter Valerie Talmage of Providence, RI, grandchildren Genevieve Edens and her partner Carson Murray and their daughter Sylvia Mae Edens Murray of Washington, D.C., Jocelyn Edens of Holyoke, MA, Michelle Andre and her husband Jason of Bellingham, MA, and Suzanne Silva and her husband Joseph of Nashua, NH, and five great grandchildren.

In accordance with Bill’s wishes, there will be no services. Should friends and family choose, please consider a memorial donation to the Kennebunk Free Library, 112 Main Street, Kennebunk ME 04043.